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2026 NFL backfield

Green Bay Packers running backs

The current roster, the published replacement plan and the production behind each player’s role.

The published backfield plan

Published starter

MarShawn Lloyd

Preferred handcuff

Chris Brooks

Brooks is the listed RB2 behind Lloyd.

Committee uncertainty: an absence could spread work across several backs.

View MarShawn Lloyd’s handcuff breakdown

Week 1 analysis published .

How the work could change

Green Bay’s Sept. 8 depth chart lists MarShawn Lloyd first, Chris Brooks second and newcomer Kaleb Johnson third. Date-only publication evidence supports Brooks, while Johnson’s role can grow after learning the offense.

Green Bay’s Sept. 8 depth chart lists MarShawn Lloyd first, Chris Brooks second and newcomer Kaleb Johnson third. Date-only publication evidence supports Brooks, while Johnson’s role can grow after learning the offense.

  • availability_unverified
  • stale_availability
  • committee risk

The full backfield depth chart

Every running back and fullback assigned to Green Bay Packers, including reserve and practice-squad entries. Chart order and replacement opportunity answer different questions: a passing-down specialist can sit ahead of the back most likely to inherit the carries.

Source: nflverse depth-chart feed · Feed dated Thu, Sep 10, 8:01 AM EDT. Equal ranks are ties. Unlisted backs are not assigned an invented rank. FB ranks are separate from RB ranks.

Green Bay Packers full running back depth chart
Feed orderPlayerScouting roleDraft investmentRoster status
RB1
MarShawn LloydPublished starter		Early-down runner2024 · Round 3 · Pick 88active
RB2
Chris BrooksPublished handcuff		Early-down runnerUndraftedactive
RB3
Kaleb Johnson		Early-down runner2025 · Round 3 · Pick 83active
RB4
Josh Jacobs		Three-down back2019 · Round 1 · Pick 24active
Unlisted
Damon Bankston		Role under review2026 · Undraftedpractice squad
Unlisted
Pierre Strong Jr.		Role under review2022 · Round 4 · Pick 127practice squad

Every back: role, upside and obstacles

The player assessments below explain the skills that could earn work and the assignments that might go to someone else. Role labels describe scouting assessments; they are not confirmed snap shares. “Three-down” means a skill set for rushing and passing situations, not a guarantee of every down.

RB1 · Early-down runner

MarShawn Lloyd

Age 25 · 3 years of NFL experience · active

Back to depth chart
Three-down outlook: Not establishedPass protection: Not established
Saved scouting assessment — source review needed

Explosive third-round talent finally healthy, handed the starting job because Josh Jacobs is on the Commissioner's Exempt List. Real lead-back ability on early downs, but he has 15 NFL touches in two years and one of the worst availability records at the position.

Scouting assessment saved Thu, Sep 10, 5:29 PM EDT. Underlying citations lack publication dates; treat team-role and injury statements as historical notes pending review.

Path to more work

He is the starter in the dated board above. For fantasy purposes, the question is how much of the rushing and passing work he keeps when the whole room is available.

Why the work could go elsewhere

A starter can still lose third downs, short-yardage work or change-of-pace touches to specialists. His role assessment describes the skill set, not a guarantee that every assignment stays with him.

Pass protection has not been established in the saved assessment. Missing information is not evidence that he cannot do it.

Draft investment

2024 · Round 3 · Pick 88

Drafted by GB; not necessarily his current team.

Day-two draft investment adds prospect context. His current role, availability and competition still decide whether he gets the next opportunity.

Draft record source

What the recorded workload tells us

No recorded NFL regular-season production is available in the two seasons shown. That is an evidence gap, not a zero or a judgment of his ability.

Confirm the latest game-day designation. General active-roster status does not certify that he will dress or receive work.

Player research sources

RB2 · Early-down runner

Chris Brooks

Age 26 · 4 years of NFL experience · active

Back to depth chart
Three-down outlook: Not establishedPass protection: Positive assessment
Saved scouting assessment — source review needed

Big, straight-line backup who is the most experienced healthy body in a suddenly thin room. Would handle early downs and short yardage in a committee if Lloyd's injury history resurfaces, but he is a replacement-level runner.

Scouting assessment saved Thu, Sep 10, 5:29 PM EDT. Underlying citations lack publication dates; treat team-role and injury statements as historical notes pending review.

Path to more work

The dated board selects him as the preferred replacement behind MarShawn Lloyd. That is a projection of the replacement role, not a promise that he gets every touch.

Ahead on the feed’s RB chart: MarShawn Lloyd. Their roles and availability shape how much work could open up.

Why the work could go elsewhere

An early-down profile offers a path to carries between the tackles. A receiving or protection specialist could still handle third downs, limiting a full-workload takeover.

The saved assessment credits his pass protection, which can help a back earn passing-down trust. It does not guarantee a three-down assignment.

Draft investment

Undrafted

He entered without draft investment. That says how he arrived, not what he can become; current usage and coaching trust carry more weight now.

Draft record source

What the recorded workload tells us

In 2025, his 17 recorded games include 27 carries and 13 receptions on 17 targets. He has recorded work both on the ground and in the passing game; those totals alone do not establish pass-protection ability or a three-down role.

Confirm the latest game-day designation. General active-roster status does not certify that he will dress or receive work.

Player research sources

RB3 · Early-down runner

Kaleb Johnson

Age 23 · 2 years of NFL experience · active

Back to depth chart
Three-down outlook: Not establishedPass protection: Not established
Saved scouting assessment — source review needed

Acquired from Pittsburgh for a 2028 sixth-rounder after a dismal rookie year (28 carries, 2.5 YPC, a costly special-teams gaffe). Gets a genuine second chance behind an injury-prone starter, but nothing on tape yet says he can carry a backfield.

Scouting assessment saved Thu, Sep 10, 5:29 PM EDT. Underlying citations lack publication dates; treat team-role and injury statements as historical notes pending review.

Path to more work

His path begins with an opening behind MarShawn Lloyd. The dated board currently prefers Chris Brooks for the lead replacement role. Being next on a depth chart would not by itself guarantee the carries, third downs and goal-line work.

Ahead on the feed’s RB chart: MarShawn Lloyd, Chris Brooks. Their roles and availability shape how much work could open up.

Why the work could go elsewhere

An early-down profile offers a path to carries between the tackles. A receiving or protection specialist could still handle third downs, limiting a full-workload takeover.

Pass protection has not been established in the saved assessment. Missing information is not evidence that he cannot do it.

Draft investment

2025 · Round 3 · Pick 83

Drafted by PIT; not necessarily his current team.

Day-two draft investment adds prospect context. His current role, availability and competition still decide whether he gets the next opportunity.

Draft record source

What the recorded workload tells us

In 2025, his 10 recorded games include 28 carries and 1 receptions on 2 targets. He has recorded work both on the ground and in the passing game; those totals alone do not establish pass-protection ability or a three-down role.

Confirm the latest game-day designation. General active-roster status does not certify that he will dress or receive work.

Player research sources

RB4 · Three-down back

Josh Jacobs

Age 28 · 8 years of NFL experience · active

Back to depth chart
Three-down outlook: Capable in saved assessmentPass protection: Positive assessment
Saved scouting assessment — source review needed

Green Bay's established three-down workhorse, unavailable indefinitely on the Commissioner's Exempt List for non-injury reasons. If and when he is reinstated he immediately reclaims the lead role — the biggest single swing factor in this backfield.

Scouting assessment saved Thu, Sep 10, 5:29 PM EDT. Underlying citations lack publication dates; treat team-role and injury statements as historical notes pending review.

Path to more work

His path begins with an opening behind MarShawn Lloyd. The dated board currently prefers Chris Brooks for the lead replacement role. Being next on a depth chart would not by itself guarantee the carries, third downs and goal-line work.

Ahead on the feed’s RB chart: MarShawn Lloyd, Chris Brooks, Kaleb Johnson. Their roles and availability shape how much work could open up.

Why the work could go elsewhere

The saved assessment describes a back suited to rushing and passing situations. That broader skill set could help him stay on the field when the starter is absent, though the team can still split the work.

The saved assessment credits his pass protection, which can help a back earn passing-down trust. It does not guarantee a three-down assignment.

Draft investment

2019 · Round 1 · Pick 24

Drafted by LV; not necessarily his current team.

Early-round investment is part of his prospect pedigree and may support a chance to develop. It does not guarantee the next workload, especially after a team change.

Draft record source

What the recorded workload tells us

In 2025, his 15 recorded games include 234 carries and 36 receptions on 44 targets. He has recorded work both on the ground and in the passing game; those totals alone do not establish pass-protection ability or a three-down role.

Confirm the latest game-day designation. General active-roster status does not certify that he will dress or receive work.

Player research sources

Unlisted · Role under review

Damon Bankston

Age 23 · Rookie · practice squad

Back to depth chart
Three-down outlook: Not establishedPass protection: Not established

Damon Bankston is a rookie listed by GB at RB, from New Mexico. The official roster lists him at 5-10 and 196 pounds.

Research checked Fri, Sep 11, 12:01 PM EDT. Undated biographies support background facts, not a current workload promise.

Path to more work

A practice-squad place keeps him available for development and possible elevation. Any offensive work would depend on an active-roster opening and a team decision to use him in the backfield.

Why the work could go elsewhere

The official roster verifies his current reserve placement and basic background but does not establish backfield rank, pass protection, a three-down role or a projected touch share.

Pass protection has not been established in the saved assessment. Missing information is not evidence that he cannot do it.

Draft investment

2026 · Undrafted

He entered without draft investment. That says how he arrived, not what he can become; current usage and coaching trust carry more weight now.

Draft record source

What the recorded workload tells us

No recorded NFL regular-season production is available in the two seasons shown. That is an evidence gap, not a zero or a judgment of his ability.

His roster feed status is practice squad. He needs the relevant roster or availability change before this becomes an immediate pickup opportunity.

Player research sources

Unlisted · Role under review

Pierre Strong Jr.

Age 27 · 4 years of NFL experience · practice squad

Back to depth chart
Three-down outlook: Not establishedPass protection: Not established

Pierre Strong Jr. is a four-year veteran listed by GB at RB, from South Dakota State. The official roster lists him at 5-11 and 207 pounds.

Research checked Fri, Sep 11, 12:01 PM EDT. Undated biographies support background facts, not a current workload promise.

Path to more work

A practice-squad place keeps him available for development and possible elevation. Any offensive work would depend on an active-roster opening and a team decision to use him in the backfield.

Why the work could go elsewhere

The official roster verifies his current reserve placement and basic background but does not establish backfield rank, pass protection, a three-down role or a projected touch share.

Pass protection has not been established in the saved assessment. Missing information is not evidence that he cannot do it.

Draft investment

2022 · Round 4 · Pick 127

Drafted by NE; not necessarily his current team.

A later-round selection describes his entry point. It does not rule out a lead role; demonstrated production and a trusted assignment matter more than draft position alone.

Draft record source

What the recorded workload tells us

No recorded NFL regular-season production is available in the two seasons shown. That is an evidence gap, not a zero or a judgment of his ability.

His roster feed status is practice squad. He needs the relevant roster or availability change before this becomes an immediate pickup opportunity.

Player research sources

The production behind the names

2025 regular season. Recorded production, not a projection. A missing stat line is not a zero.

Player comparison for the 2025 regular season
PlayerGames with statsCarriesReceptionsTotal yardsPPR / game
MarShawn Lloyd
—————
Chris Brooks
1727131971.9
Damon Bankston
—————
Josh Jacobs
1523436121115.8
Kaleb Johnson
10281780.9
Pierre Strong Jr.
—————
Chris Brooks: recent touches

Carries + receptions, last 6 recorded games in 2025

Wk 132 touches
Wk 141 touches
Wk 153 touches
Wk 161 touches
Wk 171 touches
Wk 1813 touches
Josh Jacobs: recent touches

Carries + receptions, last 6 recorded games in 2025

Wk 117 touches
Wk 1318 touches
Wk 1422 touches
Wk 1514 touches
Wk 1614 touches
Wk 175 touches
Kaleb Johnson: recent touches

Carries + receptions, last 6 recorded games in 2025

Wk 92 touches
Wk 102 touches
Wk 115 touches
Wk 132 touches
Wk 142 touches
Wk 152 touches

Totals include all teams played for that season. Per-game averages use games with recorded stats. Source: nflverse player statistics.

Evidence behind the backfield analysis

Compare your next bench move

A handcuff is an opportunity to hold, not a projected starter for this week. Compare the room with other teams, then choose a game window that fits your league’s rules.

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